'Maxed Out': Debt in America

March 14, 2007— -- When James Scurlock first arrived as an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, he was filled with optimism. "I was inspired by Donald Trump, which I think a lot kids were back when I went to college," he said.

Scurlock did well, starting up and then selling a profitable investment newsletter. Along the way he became a consumer rights advocate.

The proceeds have paid for the making of "Maxed Out," the documentary Scurlock wrote and directed that takes a harsh look at the credit card industry.

Here are just some of the issues Scurlock examines in the film:

Scurlock places blame not only on the industry but also on the government. "After 9/11, all of our politicians came out and said spend more money," he said. "You know, keep this economy going. And I thought, that's so odd. Because normally in a time of war you would sacrifice and save, and here we are being told by our leaders to spend, spend, spend."

"Congress gets a lot of money from the credit card industry, in contributions," Scurlock continued. "More than that, though, I think politicians are really terrified of what would happen if they came down too hard, and all this easy credit was suddenly snatched away and the economy dried up."

The film contends that the credit card industry has made credit too easily available in an effort to cash in on big fees.

"Back in the '80s [we] were paying $15 for over limit and late fees," said Bud Hibbs, a consumer advocate featured in the film. "I just saw that raised to $43. Think about that: $43 if you are late, $43 if you are over limit. That's $86 dollars on your credit card before you even do anything. Then your interest rate is going to jump to 21.9 [percent] and then all the way up to 28.9 [percent]. They want you to be late."